NRCan Registered Energy Advisor
Home Energy Services
Ottawa Home Energy advisor
New Ontario Grants
Up to $10,000 in Incentives for :
Insulation, Windows & Doors
Solar & Heat Pumps
Home Energy Audit ( Assessment )
A home energy audit (or assessment) is a professional inspection of a home to identify a home’s energy performance, and identify opportunities to reduce energy waste and inefficiency.
An energy audit requires data collection of the entire homes building envelope, and energy related systems. This data is used to complete calculations and create a model of the home’s energy performance using the approved modelling software.
Data Collection Requirements include :
- Complete dimensions of the home including the area, volume and surface area of foundations and exterior walls in order to calcul
ate heating / heat loss surface areas; - Ceiling and attic space construction and types;
- Construction materials used in the building envelope;
- Window and doors : quantity, sizes, and types of windows and doors ( ie. slider, awning, gas fill, coatings, spacer material etc .. );
- Energy and mechanical systems including : heating systems, DHWs, HRV’s and other users of energy;
- Generation Systems like wind or solar systems which can offset a home’s energy consumption profile.
In Canada, an EnerGuide report with recommended upgrades to improve comfort, lower energy bills, and increase efficiency is generated using approved software.
Key Aspects of a Home Energy Audit:
- What is Inspected: Auditors examine insulation levels, air leaks, ventilation, windows, doors, lighting, and heating/cooling equipment.
- Tools Used: Professionals may use lasers, cameras, measurement devices, infrared cameras, blower doors ( to measure airtightness ), and moisture meters.
- The Report (EnerGuide Rating): In Canada, you receive a report that calculates your home’s energy performance / consumption.
- Benefits: These audits are typically necessary to qualify for government rebates and incentives for home energy upgrades.
- Process: The process often involves a review of utility bills, a, in-person assessment, and a final report detailing recommended improvements.
A professional audit offers the most comprehensive view of your home’s efficiency, and can help identify problems or issues with your home.
In Canada, energy audits are delivered using the EnerGuide Rating System as developed by Natural Resources Canada.
Service organizations ( SO ) are licensed to by NRCan to deliver the standardized service and the actual on site energy audit and energy modelling is performed by licensed registered energy auditors ( REA ).
Ottawa Energy Advisor
Ottawa Energy Advisor is a local Ottawa, Eastern Ontario business delivering home energy audits using the EnerGuide Rating System.
Our Registered Energy advisor(s) ( REA ) are licensed with NRCan and work with SOs to deliver the service to our clients.
We have performed well over 10,000 pre and post energy audits to Ottawa and Eastern Ontario home owners since 2008 for programs such as : ecoEnergy ( 2007 – 20012 ), Enbridge programs ( HER, HER+ and currently the HRS program ), Greener Homes Program, Greener Homes Loan, Ottawa Better Homes Loan and RenoClimat ( Quebec ).
EnerGuide Rating System
The EnerGuide Rating System is a national system developed by Natural Resources Canada to rate the energy performance of houses. Regional partners use this system for the purpose of assessing and depicting the energy performance of houses in their jurisdiction.
The rating system is designed to achieve the following:
- help Canadian homeowners, industry and stakeholders, become “energy literate” regarding homes and the decisions related to them;
- provide specific, readily accessible energy performance information that is widely used to support decision making in designing, constructing, purchasing, renovating or operating a home; and
- facilitate energy performance advancements in new and existing low-rise housing sectors by encouraging home builders and homeowners to improve the houses that they live in, build or renovate. This should lower operating costs, increase occupant comfort and reduce the environmental impact of housing energy use in Canada.
The EnerGuide Rating System underpins the delivery of Natural Resources Canada’s Housing initiatives
(ENERGY STAR®2 for New Homes and R-20003) as well as many other programs delivered by partners
across the country.
The EnerGuide Rating System or Standard ( ERS ) outlines the technical aspects of the EnerGuide Rating System
It covers topics such as eligibility requirements, pertinent references, terms and definitions. It also provides an overview of rating system services, data collection requirements, rating system outputs and some of the high-level calculations used for generating those outputs.
NOTE: The terms “house” and “home” are used to indicate a residential building or dwelling unit that is eligible to be rated under this Standard and are intended to include multi-unit residential building (MURB) single units and MURB whole buildings unless stated otherwise.
* Any references to energy savings, cost savings or greenhouse gas reductions are intended to provide information regarding potential savings and reductions under typical usage conditions. The IESO and Enbridge do not guarantee that savings or reductions will occur in any individual case. Variables that may impact savings or reductions include specific circumstances related to the participant’s environment, installation, maintenance and operations practices, changes in energy prices, weather and local climate conditions, and user behavior and changes in usage patterns.
† Terms and conditions apply to specific rebates.
™ SAVE ON ENERGY and HOME RENOVATION SAVINGS are trademarks of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). SAVE ON ENERGY is a brand of the IESO and supported by the Government of Ontario.